Star Beacon
ORLANDO, Fla. —
Marie H. Topper, age 90, of Joanne Drive, Orlando, Fla., died Wednesday afternoon, August 25, 2010, at her residence, with her loving family by her side.
She was born Dec. 17, 1919, a cold winter day in Rays Corner, Lenox Township, Ohio, and was placed on the woodstove to keep her warm. She was the daughter of Andrew W. and Marie M. (Diemer) Corkrean who had a farm on Stumpville Road.
She was a 1938 graduate of Jefferson High School and went on to graduate from City Hospital School of Nursing in Akron in 1941. She worked very hard in her nursing career and was very proud to be an “RN”.
She married her “one and only”, John Wendall Topper, in the summer of 1942 on June 13th. Recently they celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. Mrs. Topper was a devoted wife and beloved mother. She was of Catholic faith, attending and volunteering at St. Joseph Calasanctius Church, St. Anne Catholic Church in Bristol, Va., St. Andrews Catholic Church in Erie, Pa. and Holy Family Catholic Church in N. Miami, Fla.
Marie was a 4-H leader for 17 years in N. Miami from 1955-72. She enjoyed teaching, gardening-especially flowers, sewing and cooking. She loved the arts, music, poetry and writing. She worked endless hours in support with Patty’s Special Education teachers. They always attended Patty’s Special Olympics events with great joy.
Survivors include her husband, Jack; six children and their spouses, John and Vi Topper of Yakima, Wash., Jo Marie and Douglas Roberts of Linville Falls, N.C., Douglas and Sue Ellen Topper of Mason Township, Maine, David and Donna Topper of Marietta, Ga., Janice and Paul Franzo of Orlando, Fla. and Patricia Mae Topper of Newland, N.C.; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Josephine “Jo” Curie of Jefferson; a brother, John W. (Dorothy) Corkrean of Jefferson; and others including nieces and nephews of the Corkrean, Curie, Topper and Diemer families.
Her parents preceded her in death.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m., Tuesday, August 31st, at St. Joseph Calasanctius Church, 32 E. Jefferson St., Jefferson, Ohio, with the Rev. Stephen Wassie presiding. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery.
Calling Hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, August 30th, at the Jefferson Home of FLEMING & BILLMAN FUNERAL DIRECTORS, 49 W. Jefferson St., Jefferson, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Joseph Calasanctius Church (above address) or Hospice of the Comforter, 480 W. Central Pkwy., Altamonte Springs, Fla. 32714.
Obituary and condolences at fleming-billman.com and starbeacon.com.
